Sophie’s at Saks Fifth Avenue, a new signature restaurant, will debut in select Saks Fifth Avenue stores beginning in 2014. Sophie’s is inspired by American fashion designer Sophie Gimbel, the iconic arbiter of style for Saks for nearly 40 years. Award-winning architect Andre Kikoski was selected to create the sleek, contemporary design that will define the Sophie’s aesthetic. Barcelona-born chef Alexandro Reyes created the Sophie’s menu, which will offer an array of globally influenced yet decidedly American cuisine and libations. Sophie’s is slated to open January 2014 in Chicago, followed by a summer opening in the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store in New York City.
“Every restaurant needs an inspiration and in Sophie Gimbel, we have found the perfect muse,” says Michael Kaufman, president, Fifth Dining, which operates exclusively to serve as the food and beverage partner of iconic retailer Saks Fifth Avenue. “The first American designer to be featured on the cover of Time magazine, Sophie was a legendary New York hostess who cooked, gardened and canned her own fruits and vegetables. Moreover, she did this with an unending sense of wit and style, which we honor in the restaurant’s menu and design.”
In describing the menu, Reyes says, “Sophie’s will focus on simple ingredients, sourced locally and seasonally whenever possible, to create a contemporary American menu inspired by world flavors. We hope to surprise our guests with innovative combinations and flavors and present them in a way that is memorable as well as nutritionally thoughtful.” To complement the food, Sophie’s will distinguish itself with a beverage menu focusing on fresh, seasonal cocktails and handcrafted sodas, along with a carefully edited wine list featuring a selection of superb wines by the glass.
Most recently lauded for the design of The Wright at The Guggenheim, Andre Kikoski Architect is the only firm to win three of the most prestigious hospitality design awards for a single project in a single year: the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant Design; the Gold Key Award for Hospitality Excellence, and the Interior Design Magazine Best of Year Award. In describing the design vision for Sophie’s, Kikoski says, "We sought to engage the fundamental innovation, luxury and cool that is the core of both Sophie Gimbel and Saks Fifth Avenue in a way that is inviting, elegant and chic.”
Sophie’s will be introduced in Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago in January when it opens on the 7th floor alongside the new men’s department. It will provide an exciting new dining option on the Magnificent Mile with sweeping views of Michigan Avenue. The addition of Sophie’s will also be the centerpiece of a multimillion dollar renovation of the 8th floor restaurant in Saks' flagship New York store. The transformation will enhance the restaurant’s views of Rockefeller Center and St Patrick’s Cathedral and will make Sophie’s a treasured New York destination.
